From circa 1995, the four McNeeley brothers and father (left – right: Brian, Peter, Tom III, Tom Jr, and Shawn).
ESPN Coordinating Producer Tom McNeeley III, who will oversee the network’s coverage of the College World Series for the third consecutive year, knows a little bit about boxing.
At least, “a little” is what he would say if asked. In all actuality, he comes from a family with a steep history in the sport.
His father, also named Tom, was a Sports Illustrated cover subject who fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight championship in 1961.
His brother is Peter McNeeley, who retired with a 47-7 record and was Mike Tyson’s first post-prison opponent in 1995.
Even his grandfather, Tom, Sr., was a successful boxer, representing the United States on the 1928 U.S. Olympic team.
While his life will be consumed by all aspects of the College World Series for 11 straight days beginning Saturday, his family memories and influences are never far from the front of his mind.
As the oldest of four boys, Tom was the first to try his hand at following in the steps of his paternal lineage. But it wasn’t a business his father pushed — and one he wasn’t passionate about taking up. continue reading…
